VIRTUAL REALITY
FOR SENIORS
This project has currently been postponed due to the COVID pandemic.
This VR program offers seniors, especially those living with cognitive degeneration, 360-degree experience of their place of birth, favourite tourist area or activities that they are too old to physically participate in, such as hiking or diving.
Through these VR experiences, we aim to improve the quality of life for people with dementia by helping them recall past memories, reduce aggression and improve interactions with caretakers, all of which further provides a richer and more satisfying quality of life.
Key Objectives of the program
Engage with the world in ways they never thought possible
Reconnect virtually with people, places and events from their youth
Promote socialization and verbal interaction to improve communication
Stimulate memory and cognitive skills
Senior home Partners
CHATS
Aurora
St Andrews
United Church
Markham
Unionville
Sunrise Senior
Living
Markham
Aaniin Community
Centre
Through the course of the program over 135 senior participants will get the opportunity to combat challenges arising from dementia through the use of Virtual Reality. The program will be run in three cohorts of 13 weeks each. Our participant / mentor ratio will be 3:1 allowing our participants and mentors to get comfortable with each other, as well as allowing for personalised VR experiences.
Program Modules
In this module, participants will be able to visit forests, listen to the birds, walk on an ocean beach and be closer to nature.
Explore Nature
Module 1
Guided VR meditation would help participants reduce stress and in turn leave them feeling calmer after the session.
Meditation
Module 2
In this module, participants would be able to create virtual paintings or sculptures and also interact with them.
Art with VR
Module 3
Creating their own artworks would help them feel a sense of achievement, while the process of being able to interact with their artwork in a new immerse way will help them build perspective and connection.
Active Living
Module 4
Active Living
Module 4
In this module, participants would be performing regular routine tasks that are part of most people’s daily lives.
On the Task
Module 5
The program will benefit the following categories of seniors
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Seniors within the LGBTQ2 communities
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Seniors living with disabilities
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Seniors from the Official language minority communities
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Seniors belonging to ethno-cultural groups or members of visible minority groups
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Newcomer and Refugee seniors
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Low income seniors